Chapter 5 The Thief

CHARLOTTE

I watched as the maids gathered in the center of the living room. Not only them but different other people. From the guards to some family members.

The Hamilton’s mansion was huge so there were many people who lived here—most of them relatives.

“Who dares to steal my diamond necklace?” Lady Melina bellowed.

Lady Melina was Liam’s mother and she cherished her jewelries and not to add that thing had a diamond attached to it, she would kill anyone who stole it.

Whispers echoed in the living room and I looked around but no one was saying anything out loud.

“Lady Melinda, actually, I don't know if you have noticed.” Sophia’s maid stepped forward. My heart skipped as I knew what she was about to say next. “A criminal has been recently released from prison.” Every head turned to me and I held my breath, knowing exactly where she was going.

“Her,” she pointed at me. “I think she stole it. Maybe she stole it as a plot to revenge, who knows?” She accused me.

Tension hung in the air and I glanced around but one came to my rescue as they all murmured amidst themselves.

Some of the maids shook their heads in disdain, watching me closely. Others were exchanging suspicious glance amongst one another and it only unnerved me. I felt suffocated and wanted a way out.

It was at that point I realized I was at the center of the living room and every eye was on me.

“You know she was recently released and must be filled with anger and hatred toward the family, this could be her way of avenging herself!”

“No!” I defended, my voice firm as I glared at her. “What are your talking about? I have just returned and the next thing I would do is steal from Melina? Oh c’mon.” I threw my hands in the air.

The maid tilted her to the side. “Really? You think anyone would believe what you said after what you did? Please, be for real. You stole the diamond necklace. Just confess it.”

“No, I did not.” my chest heaved with heavy breaths as I looked at her. Ideas on how I would defend myself refused to come so I turned to Melina. “Ma’am Melina, I will never steal from you. You know that. And besides I just came, why would stealing be the first thing I do? I have other things to take care of.” I explained.

Melina didn't look like she believed me. She just stared at me like I was rambling and she was tired of hearing.

Then it dawned on me that she’d made her decision already. So she appeared to be unmoved and determined not to believe me.

“Seize her!” She ordered all at once and the guards marched towards me.

I shook my head, waving my hands in the air. “No, no, I did not steal from you! Melina, you have to listen to me.” They grabbed me cruelly and made me fall to my knees.

“Since she has no belongings with her, search her body and go to the room of that wretched son of hers and do the same.” She ordered.

Some servants went to the room and I remembered that I left my child there.

“If you hurt my child, you will have yourself to blame.” I gritted at them then faced Melina. “No, Melina. I didn't steal from you. You have to believe me. I would never -”

“Mommy!” Charles’ pain-filled voice echoed the air and I swiveled around instantly, forgetting I was being caged by men twice my size. One of them twisted my head back to the front and tears peppered my eyes.

“Leave my mommy alone! She is innocent.” He cried, struggling against the men. It seemed like they got a particular order not to harm him. It must be Nathan. He must have said something to them before today.

“Leave my mommy, she did not steal it.” He yelled again and my heart clenched.

I was very pleased with the way Charles defended me. However a masculine hand slapped his hands off me and pushed him away roughly. He hit his ass against the hard tiled floor and I let out a scream.

Tears flowed down my cheeks as I looked at Lady Melina.

“Please don't hurt him.” I pleaded.

“Then you should have known better than to steal from me!” She hissed, shooting me a dirty look.

I tried to wiggle out of their tight grasp and that only helped them subdue. “Stay down, thief!” One of them cautioned me with a hiss.

My son would not stop crying and I wanted to comfort him. I tried to go but they held me back.

I could see the smug smile on Melina’s face as she watched. She was happy to see me suffering.

The servant that had gone earlier to my room, returned. “We did not see anything there ma’am!” They told her.

Her brows rose and a smirk slowly curled at her lips. “Then strip her and search the clothes on her! She must have hidden it somewhere.”

My face paled instantly as I looked at her through my teary gaze. She was not going to… strip me naked… in front of my son and…No!

Guards rushed toward me and began to tug at my clothes. I fought against them, pushing them away but they were too strong.

“No, no please…” My lips trembled as they started pulling the clothes off one by one. When I saw that I was overpowered, I closed my eyes and refused to watch how Melina stripped me. I refuse to behold this humiliation.

However, just as I wanted to give up, a masculine voice boomed and I froze. “Stop stripping her this instant and let her go!”